Iqama is your official identification document in Saudi Arabia. It allows foreigners to stay in the kingdom for a specific period and work. The permit is renewable quarterly or annually, with fees associated with it. This blog post will provide an overview of the Iqama issuance and renewal fee for workers and dependents in 2022.
Work Permit Fee For Domestic Workers
Starting on May 22, 2022, Saudi Arabia mandated employers to pay work permit fees for domestic workers (including house drivers). However, this fee only applies to the fifth domestic worker of a Saudi employer and the third domestic worker of an expatriate employer. This means that the first four domestic workers of Saudi employers and the first two workers of expatriate employers will be exempt from the work permit fee.
Levy Exemptions for Small Businesses
Small businesses with fewer than nine employees, including a full-time Saudi employer, are exempt from paying the expatriate fee for two employees (only until March 2023). The fee exemption will increase to four workers if the workers include one Saudi citizen in addition to the full-time employer.
MOI Iqama Issuance and Renewal Fee
The annual fee for issuing or renewing an Iqama is SAR 650, which can be paid quarterly.
| Duration | Fee |
| 3 Months | SAR 163 |
| 6 Months | SAR 325 |
| 9 Months | SAR 488 |
| 12 Months | SAR 650 |
Work Permit Fee or Maktab Amal Fee
The monthly work permit fee is SAR 800, which can pay for a minimum of three months.
| Duration | Fee |
| 3 Months | SAR 2,400 |
| 6 Months | SAR 4,800 |
| 9 Months | SAR 7,200 |
| 12 Months | SAR 9,600 |
Expat Dependent Fee (Dependent Levy)
Expat residents in Saudi Arabia who sponsor family members must pay the dependent fee of SR 400 per month for each dependent.
| Duration | Fee |
| 3 Months | SAR 1,200 |
| 6 Months | SAR 2,400 |
| 9 Months | SAR 3,600 |
| 12 Months | SAR 4,800 |
General Q&A
The following requirements must be fulfilled to renew an iqama in Saudi Arabia:
-Payment of the MOI Iqama fee.
-Work permit fee payment.
-Payment of traffic fines (if any).
-A valid health insurance policy.
-Payment of dependent fee (if any)
After all of the above has been done, your employer can renew your iqama online through the Absher or Muqeem portals.
You can pay your iqama renewal fees online with any Saudi bank account. Sign in to your online banking account, click Government Services, then Expatriate Services, click Iqama Renewal, enter your Iqama Number and the length of time you want to renew it for, and pay.
You can check the payment status of the MOI Iqama fee and dependent fee on the Absher portal and the payment status of the work permit fee on the Maktab Amal website.
The employer is responsible for renewing the iqama of his employees. Article 40 (1) of the Saudi Labour Law states that the employer must pay the Iqama renewal and issuance fees. Likewise, Article 144 of the Saudi Labour Law says that the employer must provide health care and insurance.
If you don’t renew your iqama, you’ll be penalized the first time with SR 500 and the second time with SR 1,000. Plus, if you’re found to have expired your iqama three times, you’ll be fined and deported from Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: How to Check Iqama Expiry Date or Validity Status Online
